Pinger

Pinger sent us word that their Textfree [$5.99 - iTunes link] for iPhone and iPod touch, which lets US users send and reply to SMS, has hit 1 billion messages delivered in just 10 months.

Now, we don't usually run metrics announcements here at TiPb, but I don't usually come back from CES with $45 in SMS charges either (billed at $0.80 each since I was roaming). Would that they would internationalize it!

If you've used Textfree or another SMS-alternative, how did it work for you?

It's been awhile since we've heard anything from Pinger, creators of a service that allows you to trade voicemails like they were emails. Their previous offering was interesting but not ultimately useful for most people. Their new offering, a clever iPhone application (iTunes link) that combines a social media aggregator, a dialer, and an IM client is interesting and likely useful for most people. For me, it addresses my #1 gripe about the iPhone. It's also free.